The Union home ministry has sought a report from the Jharkhand government on the proceedings of the case of Nirupama Pathak, victim of a suspected honour killing, before it decides to hand over the case to the CBI. “If the report suggests that the probe by the state police is being influenced we will hand over the case to the CBI,” a senior home ministry official said. The move came after journalists’ associations approached the home ministry demanding a fair and speedy inquiry into the case fearing that the local investigations may be influenced by some persons, including family members of the scribe.
Concerned over the spate of honour killings in recent months, the home ministry has also asked Haryana, Punjab, Rajashtan, Uttar Pradesh on the number of cases of honour killings in the northern states. The ministry is reiterating to the state governments that special steps should be taken to prevent honour killings. “We may issue fresh advisories to states,” a ministry official said.
Political parties are turning on the heat on the government on the issue of “honour” killings. While the CPI(M) is expected to raise the issue in Parliament, a statement issued by the party politburo here on Sunday said that “the statement by the Haryana chief minister and some Congress MPs defending the khap panchayats are providing sustenance to such illegal and violent activities. “The caste khap panchayats are issuing illegal diktats against young couples who marry outside their narrow caste norms,” it said.